Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Studying decolonization? Here are two terrific short (25 to 30 minutes) documentaries about two independence movements in Africa--in Ghana and Kenya.

Both are from CCTV News, a 24-hour English news channel, of China Central Television, based in Beijing.

You can find questions for both videos in the New Visions Global Curriculum for 10th grade. Look for the unit on decolonization and nationalism. You'll find links to both videos with questions and other short activities.

Most people, according to surveys, don't understand the importance of active learning. Over 90% think that simply rereading the material is "highly effective."

I bet that many of our students do not realize the importance of active involvement with their reading and test preparation. Most simply highlight the material or underline key concepts.

But these students might increase their performance if they work with the material in an active way, like taking an informal quiz on the chapter, or making a crossword puzzle with the chapter's vocabulary.

Another finding, Kamenetz notes, is that spacing study over time is much more effective than cramming the night before a test.

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Here are some video resources if you are studying the later Middle Ages.

They include a short biography of William the Conqueror, one from "Cloud Biography" and one comical review from Horrible Histories.

You will also see a short biography of Joan of Arc, also from Cloud Biographies.

Finally, and perhaps best of all, is a review of the English Bill of Rights from teacher Tom Richey.

Here's a short two minute biography of William the Conqueror.
And here's a more humorous review of William the Conqueror from Horrible Histories.
And here is a short biography of Joan of Arc for when you review the Hundred Years War.
Here's a terrific review of the English Bill of Rights from teacher, Tom Richey.

Friday, March 3, 2017

Here's an interesting clip from the PBS NewsHour which explores a new art exhibit in Philadelphia about how artists dealt with the conflict. It explores the development of propaganda and iconic images like Uncle Sam.

Although the focus is American, it might be interesting for world history students because of its focus on propaganda and art, a medium that all sides used.

Thursday, March 2, 2017

Here are some short clips covering different aspects of European feudalism including religion, education, and Charlemagne.

The first two clips, both five minutes or less, outline the major features of feudalism. The third outlines Charlemagne's life with music and film. The fourth clip reviews the role of religion in feudal Europe and the last clip reviews the the development of the medieval university.